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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 14

Having said this he went forth, and I with him, and when we had worshipped the holy places and the precious Cross, and he had prayed and wept much, he placed in the golden coffer the precious and life-giving Cross and made it fast, and went forth; and going to the blessed Praÿlius, the bishop, he committed unto him the keys, and having received from him a blessing, and a commendation unto God, he went forth. So coming to our lodging, we make ourselves ready. And having hired three beasts, and taking provision for the journey, we went forth; but the provisions were all that was in the house. And there were five of us on the journey, the blessed man himself and I and two ass-drivers, and another young servant, called Barochas;¹ whom the blessed man a little time before found in the street, cast out and in the uttermost peril, and taking him up he received him into his house, and having spent much upon him, by the help of Christ he made him whole. Thereafter, then, he abode with him, serving him with me. But the things which happened to the God-fearing Barochas I will declare as my story proceedeth.

Now having journeyed on that day,² on the next we came to Caesarea. But our presence was bruited abroad through all the city; for the blessed man was well known because he loved the poor. And we went to the inn that was there.

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